“A Walk Where I Saw the Soul of Kashmir”. Have you been betrayed by your own thoughts? I did until I walked on the banks of Dal Lake. I found peace, absorbing the serene purity and embracing its every hue. The whispers dancing with the breeze brought a smile to my face, removing every dark cloud of doubt and fear.Dal Lake is the soul of Kashmir- a witness to both joy and turmoil, a symbol of strength and resilience.

As the first rays touch the calm serene water of Dal Lake, the universe pauses a moment to admire its beauty. The lake shines and shimmers. The soul of Dal carries secret ripples which only a true soul can hear. Its calm water mirrors the beautiful blue skies with birds enjoying their freedom.   As the shikara passes by, it casts a reflection of its rower carrying his wisdom, his desires and dreams for the future.  

“For tourists, Dal Lake is beauty personified, a local path to upliftment, a sacred connection and new avenues. But what of the lake itself? It sees the purest connection between the soul and human relations. Here wealth is not in the materialistic riches but in the calmness and connection shared by each other’s souls within.

Walking around the banks, with the golden hues bowed away, I wasn’t just a traveler, I was the spectator of the chronology of positive changes of the inhabitants. The giggles of children and the toothless smile of the shikara rower are a delight to watch. Women sharing gossip on adjacent boats brought a smile to my face. The lotus seller harvesting Nadru from the lake shows the determination and hard work of the inhabitants here.

Majestic Zabarwan mountains and Hari Parwat Fort stand guard in the background. The sacred aura of Maa Sharika and Rainawari Gurudwara on one side and Hazratbal standing as protection on the other adds to its beauty. The place is blessed with mesmerizing beauty and at the same time shielded in the protection of the divine. Each shikara which glides past us has many stories of generations within them. Stories of their survival, their aspirations and their heritage which they carry with them.

From despair and turmoil to today’s transformation, Dal has seen it all. Yet, it stands with its head held high, undaunted, undefeated. Its wellbeing lies in its endurance, resilience and the will to adapt.The oars sing songs of the artisans who have kept their dying craft alive. The unique floating garden where business and culture amalgamate in togetherness. The shine of the beads and aroma of the spices fill the air with mystic warmth. Dal shows us the path to prosperity where hope ignites the sparkles of success.

The smoke from the samovar dances with the winds of changes of promising welfare and comfort, creating a better future. Today, Kashmir has changed.Today, walking on the banks of Dal Lake was like walking on any popular shore. Eyes full of smiles, giggles and laughter echoed everywhere. Gone are the days of mistrusting eyes or torches of gloom that surrounded the banks. Kids are having the time of their lives with their feet running along the banks towards a bright future. Ladies who were confined to their homes earlier can be seen enjoying the sunset in groups. Youngsters today cycle around or zip on their sports bike, enjoying the rush of their adolescent years.

Vendors set up stalls on the banks selling everything from trinkets to fashion. The rush of people to buy their wares shows the economic steadiness the region is going through. Well-known restaurants have set up their culinary skills here, offering cuisines from around, attracting international tourists too. Handicrafts to aromas of spices on every corner of the banks have lightened up the lives of the locals as well as tourists like us.

Today, a tourist can see the impact and accomplishment of the region, where a walk at nightfall does not seem like a taboo anymore. The sense of safe surroundings is something which has attracted solo travelers like me. The air here now smells of empowerment, there is a vibrant feeling which is spreading its scent across the valley. A feeling of being liberated of security and of being trusted. 

Ending my walk has forced me to peep in at my inner conscience and ask a question: Why was I worried or scared to visit?  Honestly, after my walk on the banks of Dal today, I have no answer. The illusion created by false narratives and fabricated stories was an unnecessary trap to which many fall victims to.  The reality is much more mesmerizing and beautiful. 

As Amir Khusrau said

Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast. 

Truly does justice to this place.

The end of my journey renewed me. I felt reinvented. This walk has given clarity to my thoughts. Our minds need to flow, not restrict ourselves.  Today the walk has gifted me a new perspective on the region where Kashmiriyat can be felt in every person you meet. We need to adapt our minds like the water of the Dal Lake, which not only reflects the shadows, but it reflects our deepest thoughts and our heart.

 Dal Lake is the vast canvas of our hope and our search for the true meaning of life. It’s not about owning or conquering things, but it’s about preserving and honoring be it land, life or culture.